Interview with Sahara Kelly:
Sahara, welcome to Romance at Heart. It is wonderful that you would favor us with an interview. I really appreciate it when authors take time out of a very busy schedule to participate and do these interviews. I know how busy you must be juggling your varied careers, so without further adieu, lets get started!
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
My very first novel was a Regency romance, written back in the 1980’s and published by Zebra under another name. I’d overdosed on Barbara Cartland novels, and simply wanted to write one of my own…and incidentally give the heroine a bit more to do than worship the hero. (Grin)
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
I’m not sure a writer can write without including some of him/herself. It’s our words, after all. Obviously, I’ve never had wings, or traveled in space, or visited Medieval England, but I’d like to think my heroines have a bit of me in them. They’re pretty honest about themselves, on the whole, and they’re not perfect, just trying hard to find happiness.
- What is your writing routine?
That was a hard thing to establish, but I find that writing in the mornings works best for me. My mind is fresher – and so is my coffee. (Grin) The afternoons are for email, and other business.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
They learned quickly. Growls and snarls from the computer sort of gave them the hint – woman writing. Do not disturb. They’re great about it now, and leave me alone with my characters.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Anywhere and everywhere. A song…a character…an idea of what might happen if I stuck two people into a certain situation…it doesn’t take much to start the seed of a story growing in my head. It sort of fleshes itself out from there.
- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?
Unquestionably. Humor is essential, in my opinion. Life is funny. Sex is funny – not all the time, but sometimes. The ability to laugh is a blessing, and I love to play with my characters and have my readers tell me they laughed out loud. Bringing a smile to someone’s face? Priceless, as they say in that television commercial.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
At first, I found the erotic love scenes a challenge, yes. Just typing the names for various body parts made me blush. But once I found my “rhythm” it became more natural and now? I don’t seem to have any problems at all. I just let it flow onto the page…I try to envision the scene and get into the character’s heads. I think it helps the reader take a look at the love that is developing between a couple in a uniquely personal way.
- What kind of research do you do?
All my writer friends will tell you I’m a bit obsessive about my research. I write in a number of different genres, and if I use a fact, I want that fact to be right. If I describe a dress, it must be the correct dress for that time period. If I write about a certain place, I want to make sure I’m describing it correctly. If I use a word in another language, I try and verify that it’s the correct word. I spend hours on the Internet researching everything from Ancient Sumer to the Belleek Porcelain Museum in Ireland. It may be only a small part of the story, but I believe I owe it to my readers to get the facts right if I possibly can. To do otherwise is to cheat both them and myself.
- What does your husband/wife think of your writing?
My husband (of twenty years) is…um…proudly tolerant. I think that’s the best way to describe it. He’s very supportive and proud of my achievements, but doesn’t read romances at all, and has never read one of mine. I’m quite okay with that, since I don’t read his World War II books either.
- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
The easiest book for me was, oddly enough, also the hardest. “A Kink in Her Tails.” The four intertwined stories nearly wrote themselves, and I was completely fascinated by the subject matter. The characters came alive and it was truly a book from my heart. But it was also the hardest, since I took a lot of literary and emotional risks with it. It still makes me cry.
The most fun? “Partners in Passion” with S.L. Carpenter. A wonderful experience that not only resulted in a truly funny and passionate book, but in a new and valued friend with whom I’m still collaborating. (“Partners in Passion 2” is in progress now.) It was a joy from start to finish, and I’m having too much fun working with Scott to ever imagine not writing something with him.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
Good question. It’s a blend, I guess. I usually have an idea of where the story is going, but there have been numerous times when the characters stop, tap me on the shoulder and say “uh uh…no way. I’m NOT doing that. I want to do THIS.” I sigh and let them have their way.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
There are so many rewarding things about being a writer. Letters from readers. Lovely people who take the time to drop me a line about one of my books. They mean so much to me – and to all authors, I think. The knowledge that the stories I’ve created are of interest to people. That there’s something of me out there that will outlast me. That I’m contributing (in a small way) to my son’s college education. LOL
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
You know, I can’t imagine what I’d be doing if I wasn’t writing. I know I’d be doing a lot of reading…I’ve been a compulsive reader for as long as I can remember, so I’d certainly have piles of books around me. I do now, but don’t have as much time to enjoy them as I’d like. Perhaps I’d be an artist or something…I enjoy graphic arts a lot. Sort of like coloring, but with really expensive and high-tech crayons. Something creative, that’s for sure. The urge to make things has always been a part of me. I guess that’s probably why I write.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
I have a website, www.saharakelly.com, and I update it regularly. I do all the graphics and development myself (with occasional technical advice from my family) and try to include as much information as I can about my books. It’s as much a part of my writing as the books themselves, since I like to add an appropriate sound track to each book, and make sure the reviews and excerpts are as up-to-date as possible. My email link is there too for readers to drop me a line.
Thanks, Rose…awesome questions!! This was fun! - Sahara
Thank you too, Sahara. I am sure that our readers here at Romance at Heart are thrilled to have a bit more information into another wonderful author, and spinner of those fantastically mind-tickling erotic tales. We will be sure to keep looking for Partner’s in Passion II at Ellora’s Cave.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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